This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
Esther Mwende's life was turned upside down when her son Dennis was diagnosed with autism at just 18 months old. The diagnosis was a wake-up call, and Mwende was determined to give her son the best possible life.
After years of struggling to help Dennis reach his milestones, Mwende discovered the concept of sensory rooms, which are designed to stimulate the senses of children with autism. She was intrigued by the idea and decided to bring it to her community.
With the help of her local church, the International Christian Church, Mwende established the first sensory room in Kenya. The room was completed earlier this year, and Mwende made sure her son Dennis spent as much time there as possible.
Fast forward to today, and Dennis is a 19-year-old young man who has become sociable and interacts well with his peers. He even goes to school and has friends. Mwende is a proud mother, and she credits the sensory room with transforming her son's life.
The sensory room is a game-changer for families like Mwende's, and she hopes that many other organizations will follow suit and make these rooms available to all children.
